Texas Informant's Recovery Program Contract Guide

publications

Published June 1st, 2016

Detected March 17th, 2026

Summary

The Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts has published a guide for its Informant's Recovery Program. This program allows individuals to contract with the state to provide information on state revenue or property that may be recovered, with payments limited to 5 percent of recovered funds.

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What changed

This publication from the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts outlines the Informant's Recovery Program, a state initiative that allows private individuals to contract with the state to provide information leading to the recovery of state revenue or property. The guide details eligibility requirements, the contracting process, confidentiality measures, and the payment structure, which is capped at 5% of recovered funds and requires a minimum recovery of $2,000.

Individuals interested in participating must not be state or federal employees and must have derived their information independently. Contracts must be executed in advance of any audit or investigation. The program requires detailed information about the taxpayer, accounting issues, how the information was obtained, and supporting documentation. Payments are contingent upon successful and uncontested recovery of state funds.

What to do next

Review eligibility criteria for the Informant's Recovery Program.
Familiarize with the contract execution process and required information for potential informants.
Note payment limitations and conditions for recovery.

Source document (simplified)

This publication is intended as a general guide and not as a comprehensive resource on the subjects covered. It is not a substitute for legal advice.Texas Comptroller of Public AccountsJUNE 2016FOR MORE INFORMATION, SEARCH OUR WEBSITE ATComptroller.Texas.GovINFORMANT’S RECOVERY PROGRAMCONTRACTCONTRACT WITH TEXAS TO FIND STATE REVENUE The Texas Legislature authorized the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts to contract for information about state money or property the state may be legally entitled to recover. You may contract with the Texas Comptroller if you are not a state or federal employee and if you derived the information independently of the state or federal government or its employees.If the Texas Comptroller enters into a contract with you to provide information, the contract must be signed by both you and the Comptroller, and it must be executed in Austin, Texas. You must use your full legal name and give your social security number. The contract must be executed in advance of any audit or investigation by the Comptroller.CONFIDENTIALITYYour identity will be kept in the strictest confidence allowed under Texas law. The Comptroller also is prohibited from disclosing any confidential information to you.HOW THE PROGRAM WORKSIf you have information to provide, you must contact Audit Division Headquarters. After this initial contact, you may be asked to come to Austin to provide your detailed information and to sign a contract. If the contract is approved, the account will be investigated, and the results evaluated. Payment will then be made in proportion to the value of the information you furnished.INFORMATION YOU MUST PROVIDEYou must provide details including: • the taxpayer’s name and address;• the accounting issues and specific accounts involved;• when and how the information was obtained;• any records that were hidden, not produced, substituted, and/or misrepresented during an audit or when tax returns were filed; and• documentation to support your claim.AMOUNT OF PAYMENTThe statute limits the total payment to 5 percent of the state revenue recovered. Payments will not be made on recovery amounts of less than $2,000.Payments may not be paid until the recovery of the state funds is complete and uncontested.If you have any questions about this program, or information to provide, please call Audit Division Headquarters at 800-531-5441, ext. 3-3900. In Austin, call 512-463-3900. The mailing address is: Informant’s Recovery Program Comptroller of Public Accounts Audit Division HeadquartersP.O. Box 13528 Austin, Texas 78711

Texas Comptroller of Public AccountsWE’RE HERE TO HELP!If you have questions or need information, contact us:This publication is intended as a general guide and not as a comprehensive resource on the subjects covered. It is not a substitute for legal advice.For more information, search our website at Comptroller.Texas.Gov Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts 111 East 17th StreetAustin, Texas 78711-1440 Sign up to receive email updates on the Comptroller topics of your choice at comptroller.texas.gov/subscribe/. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, this document may be requested in alternative formats by calling the appropriate toll free number listed or by sending a fax to 512-475-0900.800-252-5555911 Emergency Service/ Equalization SurchargeAutomotive Oil FeeBattery Fee Boat and Boat Motor Sales TaxCustoms BrokerMixed Beverage TaxesOff-Road, Heavy-Duty Diesel Equipment SurchargeOyster FeeSales and Use Taxes800-531-5441Cement TaxInheritance TaxLocal RevenueMiscellaneous Gross Receipts TaxesOil Well Servicing TaxSulphur Tax800-442-3453WebFile Help800-252-1381Bank FranchiseFranchise Tax800-252-7875Spanish800-531-1441Fax on Demand (Most frequently requested Sales and Franchise tax forms)800-252-1382Clean Vehicle Incentive ProgramManufactured Housing TaxMotor Vehicle Sales Surcharge, Rental and Seller Financed Sales TaxMotor Vehicle Registration Surcharge800-252-1383Fuels TaxIFTALG Decals Petroleum Products Delivery FeeSchool Fund Benefit Fee800-252-1384Coastal ProtectionCrude Oil Production TaxNatural Gas Production Tax800-252-1387Insurance Tax800-252-1385Coin-Operated Machines TaxHotel Occupancy Tax800-252-1386Account StatusOfficer and Director Information800-862-2260Cigarette and Tobacco888-4-FILING (888-434-5464)TELEFILE: To File by Phone800-252-1389GETPUB: To Order Forms and Publications800-654-FIND (800-654-3463)Treasury Find800-321-2274Unclaimed Property ClaimantsUnclaimed Property HoldersUnclaimed Property Name Searches 512-463-3120 in Austin877-44RATE4 (877-447-2834)Interest RatePublication #96-266 • Revised June 2016